Getting your boat out on the water is easy. Outer Banks boat ramps can be found in every town from Corolla to Ocracoke, including Roanoke Island and the Dare County mainland. Some Outer Banks boat-launch ramps deposit boats directly into the Currituck, Albemarle, Roanoke, Croatan and Pamlico sounds, while others launch into various small creeks and canals that lead to the sounds. If you’re headed out for the Atlantic Ocean, be sure to use a boat-launch ramp near Oregon, Hatteras or Ocracoke inlets.
In this section we offer a listing of the public Outer Banks boat ramps. Be sure to read the descriptions carefully as some of the launch sites are for small watercraft like personal watercraft and kayaks only. Many of the Outer Banks boat-launch ramps offer more vehicle-and-trailer parking, but at some locations parking is limited. Expect full lots on summer weekends and nice spring and fall weekends.
Outer Banks Fishing by Area
Corolla | Duck & Southern Shores | Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills & Nags Head
Roanoke Island & Manteo | Hatteras Island | Ocracoke Island
Outer Banks Fishing by Category
A North Carolina Wildlife public boat ramp on Bay Drive in Kill Devil Hills offers access into Kitty Hawk Bay near Colington Island. Two launching lanes,...read more
Avon Harbor in Avon Village has a public boat launch. You'll find it across from the Avon Worship Center. Parking is available for about 20 vehicles.read more
To access Croatan Sound, a North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission boat ramp is located off the western end of Bowsertown Road, past the Town of Manteo...read more
A single-lane public boat launch ramp and courtesy dock are available at Historic Corolla Park. But keep in mind that the Currituck Sound is very shallow,...read more
Dare County maintains a boat ramp along Jean Guite Creek, offering easy access to Kitty Hawk Bay and Albemarle Sound. The facility offers a single ramp,...read more
To access Croatan Sound, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission operates a boat ramp at Manns Harbor on the western side of the old Manns Harbor bridge....read more
To access Shallowbag Bay and Roanoke Sound, a free public boat launch is located at the waterfront, right beside the bridge that leads to Roanoke Island...read more
Mashoes Boat Ramp is located along East Lake and gives access to South Lake, Alligator River and Albemarle Sound. There's a single boat-launch lane that's...read more
The National Park Service has a boat ramp in the heart of Ocracoke village, near the Cedar Island and Swan Quarter ferry docks. The launch area has two...read more
Over the last 70 years, Oregon Inlet Fishing Center has earned legendary status for its celebrated charter fishing fleet and proximity to the best fishing...read more
